The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[cdnguys]

[IMG][/IMG]

[adamuptownsj]

I saw that too. My first thought is, no, we should read nothing into it. Perhaps S Market or Charlotte are sliding into the hole and they to be stabilized.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

I saw that too. My first thought is, no, we should read nothing into it. Perhaps S Market or Charlotte are sliding into the hole and they to be stabilized.

IDK....This looks like it could be promising.
These guys do geotechnical drilling for preconstruction soil studies. (among other things)

https://www.crdrilling.com/exploration-geotechnical-environmental

Although I suppose it could be connected to the rebuild of Charlotte and not anything happening with the pit.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by sailor734

IDK....This looks like it could be promising.
These guys do geotechnical drilling for preconstruction soil studies. (among other things)

https://www.crdrilling.com/exploration-geotechnical-environmental

Although I suppose it could be connected to the rebuild of Charlotte and not anything happening with the pit.

But nothing is happening on Charlotte St that would require exploratory drilling. We are talking about bike lanes. Does anyone know if Percy’s hole is solid bedrock? Because if so, not sure why exploratory drilling would be required.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

But nothing is happening on Charlotte St that would require exploratory drilling. We are talking about bike lanes. Does anyone know if Percy’s hole is solid bedrock? Because if so, not sure why exploratory drilling would be required.

Charlotte St is being reconstructed from, IIRC, Union to Princess, including burying the few remaining power lines. Geotechnical seems a little much for that, but I refuse to believe in the Hole until something starts.

[DyAm00394]

AllNewBrunswick has a new article published. They are reporting that AIM wants the court to let them restart their SJ operations

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

AllNewBrunswick has a new article published. They are reporting that AIM wants the court to let them restart their SJ operations

AIM says the province should have avoided media availability/announcements, the port should have been excluded, and that 'it was under control in 48 hours'. They also say IOL should have been shut down for the 2018 butane explosion (which IIRC was handled very well by Irving and SJ emergency services) if they're shut down for their two day long poison fire. Total garbage response. It's not reopening.

Buried interesting lede: AIM claims the port approached them in the weeks before the fire, urging a move, so 'another industrial tenant' could occupy the site. Port CEO Estabrooks says this conversation occurred.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

AllNewBrunswick has a new article published. They are reporting that AIM wants the court to let them restart their SJ operations

So, have they actually filled for a judicial review?

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

Charlotte St is being reconstructed from, IIRC, Union to Princess, including burying the few remaining power lines. Geotechnical seems a little much for that, but I refuse to believe in the Hole until something starts.

Could it perhaps have to do with determining the stability of the hole's wall abutting Charlotte? That might impact street reconstruction plans.

[adamuptownsj]

Originally Posted by sailor734

So, have they actually filled for a judicial review?

Applied for judicial review on Monday, yup. They would be fools not to, as much as I want the whole operation removed. That's a lot of money to do.

At this point IDK if Belledune or anywhere else would even want it. It went from being messy, loud, etc. to outright horrendous in the last 6 months.

[CharlotteCountyLogan]

Originally Posted by adamuptownsj

AIM says the province should have avoided media availability/announcements, the port should have been excluded, and that 'it was under control in 48 hours'. They also say IOL should have been shut down for the 2018 butane explosion (which IIRC was handled very well by Irving and SJ emergency services) if they're shut down for their two day long poison fire. Total garbage response. It's not reopening.

Buried interesting lede: AIM claims the port approached them in the weeks before the fire, urging a move, so 'another industrial tenant' could occupy the site. Port
CEO Estabrooks says this conversation occurred.

I am curious who the "another industrial tenant" would be? I'm guessing more cranes or maybe a Ro-Ro area for cars and machinery. Whatever it is I hope to never again see AIM operating on the waterfront. They had their chance and blew it. Make them leave

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by CharlotteCountyLogan

I am curious who the "another industrial tenant" would be? I'm guessing more cranes or maybe a Ro-Ro area for cars and machinery. Whatever it is I hope to never again see AIM operating on the waterfront. They had their chance and blew it. Make them leave

Maybe the cold storage facility port and partners want

[Pugsley]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Maybe the cold storage facility port and partners want

Perhaps, but a video of the site development that circulated over a year ago clearly showed the area by AIM being where the roll-on-off site for the luxury car terminal would be. So, it is clearly in the port's plan to do something else with this space currently occupied by AIM. They just need to evict what is turning into a disgruntled and litigious tenant.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by Pugsley

Perhaps, but a video of the site development that circulated over a year ago clearly showed the area by AIM being where the roll-on-off site for the luxury car terminal would be. So, it is clearly in the port's plan to do something else with this space currently occupied by AIM. They just need to evict what is turning into a disgruntled and litigious tenant.

I may be thinking of something else but isn't there a higher bar to get a court to overturn a ministerial decision? (limited and specific grounds I mean)

[Pugsley]

Originally Posted by sailor734

I may be thinking of something else but isn't there a higher bar to get a court to overturn a ministerial decision? (limited and specific grounds I mean)

Got me. Not a lawyer...I just play one on TV. LOL

All I was saying is that if AIM is surprised that everyone in town wants them out and that the Port of Saint John might also be suggesting they leave, it is likely due to 1) Everyone in the city hates them, and 2) The port has bigger plans for that space.

Side note, I've met the owner of AIM several times --- many years ago. Let's just say he does not like being told what to do and is very much a law firm's best possible client, revenue-wise.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by Pugsley

Got me. Not a lawyer...I just play one on TV. LOL

All I was saying is that if AIM is surprised that everyone in town wants them out and that the Port of Saint John might also be suggesting they leave, it is likely due to 1) Everyone in the city hates them, and 2) The port has bigger plans for that space.

Side note, I've met the owner of AIM several times --- many years ago. Let's just say he does not like being told what to do and is very much a law firm's best possible client, revenue-wise.

The point about AIM's owner's personality crossed my mind too. Port could try and evict them and he could say "I'm not going anywhere, I have a 20 year lease.....sue me! (and then it's in the courts for years )

[DyAm00394]

A nice development update from Councillor Gerry Lowe over on Facebook. Also he mentions that for future upcoming projects, city staff are working on the possibility of another 1500-2000 units that could be built over the next 2-4 years.

https://www.facebook.com/gerry.loweLibs2...v3tD9BhhegsrZn1jeDMBGEbMrj3zF4EKkEaC9wZl

"Now that Christmas and the holidays are long gone and we are well into the year 2024, looking back I realize how fortunate I was, over Christmas to be involved with a couple of organizations who are committed to working with children and families of our city’s working poor. Knowing that Christmas dinners and gifts for the kids were provided made my Christmas meaningful.

Now on to other subjects: the much needed lights for Tin Can Beach are back ordered and will be installed as soon as they arrive. The quick story of Tin Can Beach- in 2013 or 2014, as a councillor, I asked Bill Edwards, who was in charge of paving etc with the city ,if he would put some pavement down by the Beach. He, along with local 18 ( outside workers) started to fix it up. 10 years later I invite you to drive down to enjoy it.

In regards to the 2 new schools- both North and South will be constructed with a community hub. Tenders were issued for the demolition of the North end school that stands there today. The South end situation- the case returns court April 12, regarding the house that is still occupied on St James Street.

On a much more positive note- St Vincent’s school( Cliff St) , St Patrick’s School ( City Line) have been purchased by a developer who also plans to build 226 units on the Loch Lomond Road. This has already been approved by Council. This is across the road from an additional 105 unit development which has already been approved by Council as well. As we work through the Year 2024, many new units are being constructed along with Affordable Housing in many of them.

Another new Developer , Michael Wowchuk, of Hospital Hill Development, has taken over the diocese building of the Cathedral on 1 Bayard Drive, it will contain 25 Senior apartments, 5 affordable units and 20 Market rents, 2 are 2 bedrooms and 23 are 1 bedrooms. On Tuesday I met with him on the site of the old General Hospital.

At the time, Fundy Engineering were digging holes to see what was buried there from the demolition of the hospital. He is looking at possibly building 2-6 story buildings, 54 units each or a larger 12 story one with 80+ units, along with a possible smaller building in phase two. I suggested to Michael to go higher and build smaller square footage units.

As I look around the Waterloo St Village, there is the construction of a new apartment building on Cliff Street which is well on its way. I believe this building will house 28 affordable housing units along with 28 market units. I believe Waterloo St. will also, eventually, have 2 more apartment buildings in the near future.

New construction is built and being built on University Avenue; 87 units on Technology Drive; Fundy Quay, Water Street, the beginning of a 79 unit apt building ; the old Aquarius yard with 55 Units, with the design of a second unit in back; Heatherway, which I believe, are on their 4th-24 unit apartment building; 461 Millidge Avenue, 30 unit apt buildind( well on its way); 166 Leinster St, 35 unit apt building; 52 Broad St, construction of a 39 unit apt building; 460 Milford Road, 78 units; 681 Dever Road, 54 units in 4 different buildings.

These are just some of the building that have either been approved or actually being worked on. Also, in the future for upcoming projects, city staff are working on the possibility of another 1500-2000 units that could be built over the next 2-4 years.

I also noticed that DP World ( the container people) have taken over the movement of potash on Broad Street for the next 5 years. This will definitely increase the potash coming from Saskatchewan.

These are just some of the examples of the more positive things taking place in the city. As we all know there are many problems, such as homelessness, the big hole at the head of King, train whistles, residential taxes and the lack of taxes from heavy industry and many more. Staff, Mayor and Council, and many committees created by Council are working on these daily. I do believe that 2024, and going into 2025 will be a good time for Saint John.

I plan to take a short holiday after Tuesday’s Council meeting ( Monday is a holiday) for 10 or 12 days. I will have my phone and I-pad with me and will be happy to take calls."

[Helladog]

On Tuesday I met with him on the site of the old General Hospital.
At the time, Fundy Engineering were digging holes to see what was buried there from the demolition of the hospital. He is looking at possibly building 2-6 story buildings, 54 units each or a larger 12 story one with 80+ units, along with a possible smaller building in phase two. I suggested to Michael to go higher and build smaller square footage units.

Twelve stories at the old general site would be a great addition to the skyline; the old general was quite impressive there in it's time.

[DyAm00394]

I see AllNewBrunswick has a new article titled “SJ Airport Service Station, Hotel Plans Take Flight”. Anyone with access can let us know if anything new is said/mentioned in this article?

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by DyAm00394

I see AllNewBrunswick has a new article titled “SJ Airport Service Station, Hotel Plans Take Flight”. Anyone with access can let us know if anything new is said/mentioned in this article?

The whole thing seems pretty "pie in the sky" to me. There are already 2 gas stations/convenience stores beside the airport and as to demand for a airport hotel......given the passenger/flight numbers and distance from populated areas that would seem like an extremely dubious enterprise.